Income Tax Department, UT J&K and Ladakh organizes outreach programme to raise awareness on Income Tax

Leh, October 18, 2024: The Income Tax Department UT of J&K and Ladakh led by Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Amritsar, Sh Lal Chand (IRS), Principal Commissioner of Income Tax UT of J&K and Ladakh Sh. Vikram Sahay (IRS) along with Joint Commissioner of Income Tax UT of J&K and Ladakh Sh Rahul Padha, organized an outreach programme today at Conference Hall, DC Office Leh.

Income Tax Officer UT of J&K and Ladakh Sh. Lokesh Yadav, SSP Leh Shruti Arora, ACR Leh Shabir Hussain and other officers and officials totalling over 100 persons, including Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDO) of different government departments, hoteliers, contractors, and persons associated with other business outlets attended the programme.

During the outreach programme, the participants were informed about the different provisions of Taxes. The participants were also briefed about the scope and benefits of exemptions and deductions specifically available under Section 10(26) of Income Tax Act for residents of Ladakh.

Sh Lal Chand spoke during the occasion and said that the purpose of the outreach programme was to address the concerns and apprehensions of the residents of Ladakh. He mentioned that the Income Tax Department aims to make people aware of the Income Tax provisions and help them in matters related to Income Tax. During the programme, DDOs were also educated about various tax provisions and concerns were resolved related to deductions.

Sh Rahul Padha mentioned about issues where emails are not updated or not in use which lead to email bounce backs, which in turn lead to huge deduction of tax. He also mentioned that have such emails are for verifications purpose only and it should be updated.

Principal Commissioner of Income Tax UT of J&K and Ladakh Sh. Vikram Sahay requested the stakeholders to update their emails with the bank to receive such enquiries on time or respond to such emails, if received. He also mentioned that the TDS Division of the Department will organise a workshop  for all the DDOs and other stakeholders to resolve TDS related issues of Ladakh.

Participants and stakeholders raised their problems related to manner of availing benefits under section 10(26) of the Income Tax Act, deductions in tax, income tax during official posting outside Ladakh, income tax deduction in pension cases and other such question which were answered by the Officers.

The outreach programme was part of the overall initiate of the Income Tax Department to reach out to stakeholders for increasing taxpayer services and improving voluntary tax compliance.